Summary In this episode of the Spread Your Wingspan podcast, hosts Sara and Jennie chat with Canadian author J.M. Frey about her latest book, 'Nine Tenths.' They explore the inspiration behind the story, the themes of grief and colonialism, and the representation of mental health in characters. J.M. shares her writing journey, the significance of her characters, and the importance of research in crafting her narrative. The conversation delves into the meta-narrative techniques used in the book, the exploration of love and fear in relationships, and the social commentary on ethical wealth. J.M. also discusses her writing process and rituals, concluding with her hopes for readers to take away courage and kindness from her work. You can find J.M. Frey at her website: jmfrey.netand @j.m.frey on Bluesky, TikTok, Instagram, & Threads   Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to J.M. Frye and Nine Tenths03:05 - The Journey of Self-Publishing06:21 - Inspiration Behind Nine Tenths09:15 - Exploring Themes of Grief and Colonialism12:02 - Character Development and Personal Experiences15:22 - Meta Storytelling and Writing Process18:15 - Research and Historical Context21:06 - Anxiety Representation in Fiction24:01 - Romance and Speculative Fiction31:08 - Navigating Grief and Love33:02 - Character Development and Relationships34:49 - Exploring Dark Themes in Fantasy36:39 - The Role of Fantasy in Society38:57 - Ethical Wealth and Responsibility43:14 - The Creative Process and Writing Rituals52:05 - The Intersection of Science and Fantasy56:48 - Courage in the Face of Fear01:00:51 - Outro